Current state of soils in forest nurseries in the taiga zone of European part of Russia

When producing planting material in the taiga zone, it is extremely important to assess problematic sites in forest nurseries. Attention should be paid to poor soil quality, which can significantly affect the growth rate of seedlings and the yield of standard planting material. The article considers a comprehensive assessment of soil conditions in forest nurseries of the taiga zone of the European part of Russia. The research was conducted in six forest nurseries. Agrochemical and physical properties of soils were determined. The content of organic matter in the soils of forest nurseries is low, mobile forms of phosphorus, exchangeable potassium and alkaline hydrolyzable nitrogen are insufficient for optimal growth and development of coniferous seedlings. The level of acidity in the soils of nurseries in the taiga zone of the European part of Russia turned out to be favorable. Half of the studied forest nurseries have increased density of soil composition, which can lead to the formation of soils with low pore volume, limiting air intake and moisture retention in the soil. A decrease in the intensity of seedling growth and yield of standard seedlings may occur due to the lack of technological measures such as weed control, lack of irrigation, etc., but one of the most important reasons is the insufficient supply of soils with mineral and organic substances. Equalization of soil fertility parameters in forest nurseries can be achieved by application of necessary fertilizers and by means of cultivation. The results of the presented work will make it possible to draw the attention of specialists engaged in the cultivation of planting material in the taiga zone of the European part of Russia to the problem of low soil fertility.

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